The Snowy Cabin Cookbook: Meals and Drinks for Adventurous Days and Cozy Nights

by Marnie Hanel, Jen Stevenson

When the going gets chilly and daylight is in short supply, the cozy cabin is the place to be. And here is the ultimate companion for cozier, comfier cold-weather cooking from the IACP Award–winning duo of Marnie Hanel and Jen Stevenson. The Snowy Cabin Cookbook is here to make cabin or lodge cooking just as magical as the scenery outdoors and transport readers to a snow-globe world filled with Fair Isle sweaters, sled rides, and wood-burning fires. Whether you’re in need of satisfying snack to get through a day of hibernation, planning a menu for a snowed-in dinner party, or searching for a hearty breakfast before a long day of skiing, sledding, or ice-skating, The Snowy Cabin Cookbook is filled with inspiring and effortlessly cookable recipes. Readers can try the Snowbound Stromboli with Arrabbiata (a grown-up version of the Hot Pocket), Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips and Apples alongside Brrrisket with Parsley and Pomegranate Seeds, or Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup with Bacon and Chives. When feeding a hungry crowd, there’s Spaghetti and Meatballs for the Masses, and when it’s time to settle in for the evening, sip a Blood Orange Negroni alongside Almond Tangerine Trifle. Beyond food, these endlessly creative authors offer 99 Ways to Use a Mug (think sleigh valet tip jar), a flowchart on how to find the right winter lodging for anyone, and tips on how to build a better snowperson—and when the cabin fever sets in, readers can turn to Reindeer Games for entertaining ways to pass the time. The Snowy Cabin Cookbook, fully illustrated by artist Monica Dorazewski, will leave every reader wishing for a snow day.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Cooking, Food and Drink, Cozy

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Marnie Hanel is the coauthor of The Snowy Cabin Cookbook; Summer: A Cookbook; The Campout Cookbook; and The Picnic, winner of the 2016 IACP Award for Best General Cookbook. Hanel is a journalist who writes about the wild, wonderful way we live. Her essays and articles have been published by The New York Times Magazine, Food & Wine, and Vanity Fair. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cookbook? This is more than just a cookbook, it’s a resource book and cookbook in one. Who is this book for? Anyone who going to indulge in some cold weather activities. Inside this book you will find some recipes (because this is a cookbook) and you will also find articles and helpful information on this climate. Information on staying safe, what to pack for a trip, how to pick out your destination, keeping entertained, and much more. I came across this book at the library and the book cover caught my attention. Living in Iowa, it seems that the winters get longer each year and the snow never seems to melt fast enough for me and if there was anything inside this book which could make this season more joyous, I needed to know.

I wasn’t happy that all the illustrations inside the book were drawings, even the ones that accompanied the recipes. I like having realistic pictures of recipes that I have the possibility of making. The recipes were sectioned off into Slope Snacks, Sides and Salads, Mains, Desserts, Morning Meals, Fortifications (drinks), From Snowshoes to Slippers and a few closing sections (where to buy products, index, closing remarks). Each recipes states how many it will serve, the ingredients needed (listed in grams and cups). The instructions are listed in steps and there are also tips and a small paragraph about the recipe. The titles of many of these recipes were long!! Buttermilk Chicken with Roasted Lemons, Torn Sourdough, and Calabrian Chile Sauce. That’s one recipe but it does describe the recipe. Frosty Morning French Toast Six Tasty Twists, Chilly-quiles Rojos, Smokey the Pear, Oh, What a Nightcap, those are just a few of the recipes you will find inside this book.

Inside each of these recipe sections, you’ll find some articles which I found interesting. From Build a Better Snowperson, Shotski, Why Can’t We Quit Thee?, Six Sweets Made with Snow, Ski Slang, Much Ado About Dumplings, etc. I thought the Reindeer Game page was great as it gives some ideas for games to play in the snow. I guess if you’re tired of sledding, building snow forts or making snow people or snow animals, or shoveling, these games would be fun to try. I also liked the Six Sweets Made with Snow article and a bunch more that I found in here. So, pick up this book if you live or are headed for a snowy climate, there’s a recipe or an article in here just calling your name. 4 stars.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted this book and read it snuggled up with a warm drink by the fire as a winter storm raged outside... aka I read this at the perfect time.
It's a cute concept and I have a huge list of recipes to try, but I will say that the authors overdo it at times. I'm probably not going to be making smashed potatoes with caviar on a ski weekend, just saying.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there were some cute asides, lovely illustrations, and atmospheric comfort, the recipes in this cookbook are designed for chalet owners or jet-setting families wealthy enough to afford weeks in a Swiss Chalet. This is NOT a cabin cookbook. I’m familiar with cabins in all of their simplicity and most of the recipes here call for gourmet ingredients and a cornucopia of appliances. Not to mention that many of the recipes call for things to “sit, chill, or rest” for several days! It’s also very light on meat, very heavy on veggies and nuts so BEWARE if you have lots of food allergies. Ultimately, this book would make a great gift for your rich friends. Otherwise, most other “cabin” cookbooks are far more useful and practical.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book! There are scrumptious recipes, fun activities, and wonderful tips for having a great cabin adventure! I borrowed it from the library but I'm going to buy it because it's just that good!

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this book started. It didn't start off right into the recipes and instead gradually got there. It took one chapter until the recipes started and I honestly enjoyed that first chapter SO much. The humor was great. I loved the chapter called "99 Ways (and Counting) to Use a Mug" it was so silly!
This book really captured comfort and it makes me want to go to a cabin in the winter with a Wood-Burning Fireplace and just relax with some friends. (Can't forget the tea!)

The recipes looked interesting to cook. The one recipe that I found strange (but then again, I don't really eat meat, haha) was a recipe that had duck legs in it. I realize some people eat that though.

I also liked how this book incorporated three recipes for some self love. Also known as, Bath Bombs, a Skin Scrub and a recipe for a Foot Soak.
Which I thought was neat.

I also loved the illustrations to this book, they had a cozy feel to them which fit the book quite nicely.

This was a neat book overall. :)

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cutely illustrated cookbook gives recipes and tips for your next snowy adventure - whether skiing or just staying in a cozy log cabin somewhere in the snow. Chapter 1 is all about preparing for your trip - what to pack, things to do, games to play, etc. The rest of the chapters are organized by type of recipe - snacks, sides and salads, main dishes, etc. The recipe chapters also include tips and sidebars about all things snow vacation related. There weren't that many recipes I wanted to try and as a Southerner we don't get tons of snow, but it was a cute cookbook to flip through.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were going to a chalet with a small group of adults, this cookbook would be coming along. In the meantime, it's fun to peruse and dream about the aurora borealis over a snowy cabin in the woods.

[S.]

I was originally planning on reading this cookbook from cover to cover because it sounded like it would be a perfect blend of hygge and comfort foods, but it veered to silly/absurd territory and didn't live up to its potential. At page 38, I abandoned the idea of reading every word and skimmed the remaining pages, taking pictures of a few recipes and pages of interest. DNF at page 38 (out of 219).

[Alexis Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent the morning curled up with this charming book by @workmanpub and keep finding myself flipping back through it to look at all of the beautiful illustrations. This book is like a warm hug; Hygge perfection. One of the most beautiful cookbooks I’ve ever seen. I’m already thinking about all the people I want to gift it to next Christmas.

Never for before has a book made me long for being snowed in. One of my favorite parts was 99 ways to use a mug. Here are a few from the list: Hand warmer, stocking stuffer, chili cauldron, petite planter box….

Spring is still a bit away and if you’re looking for a beautiful book to help you embrace the moment, this is it! Slow down and enjoy the last few days of winter. Recharge, rest, and curl up with a beautiful book and some Swedish cardamom rolls.

Book 32 of 2022.

#gifted #hygge #slowliving #slowdown #cabin #snow #campcooking #cooking #cookbook #cookbooks #hyggehome #hyggelife #cozy #book #bookstagram #reader #readersofinstagram #blessed

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written for those who love winter cabin getaways or ski chalets or any snowy vacations, but it is just as fun for those who want to spend a cosy winter at home. It has tips on how to build fires outdoors or in a wood stove or fire place, ski slang, cabin games, packing suggestions, and even a fun quiz about how to pick an ideal winter getaway location.

Recipes are the heart of the book. Everything from appetizers around the fire to cocktails and cozy breakfasts. There are usually suggestions for substitutions, including how to adapt for different dietary choices. There are a number of entirely plant based options as well. Also included are tips for prepping ahead and freezing.

I will update the review once I get a chance to try some out, which will happen as soon as I get to the store.

[Kristen S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is beautifully designed and illustrated which adds to its appeal and coziness. It feels like part gift book/part cookbook. The recipes require some planning as many of the ingredients are not something the average home cook would have on hand, especially during a cabin retreat. There are parts of the book that focus on things related to skiing, cabin games etc, which adds whimsy to the book however, I found it rather distracting, almost as if it was going to be two different books. Come Cozy, visual appeal, stay for the cold weather recipes.
I received a free copy from Workman Publishing in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you getting ready for a snowy getaway? This is the perfect cookbook to curl up with, as you prepare for your trip. There are not only loads of cold weather recipes, but also lots of entertaining how to's from choosing your chalet, to how to use a mug 99 different ways, to the rules for Reindeer Games. There's even a recipe for roasting chestnuts in a closed oven!

This is not only a cookbook, but also a fun story to get you even more excited about your upcoming snowy trip. And if you're not lucky enough to leave your snowy home this year, you can enjoy the yummy recipes as you make plans for next winter.

Thank you to Workman Publishing for the review copy of this book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more than a cookbook - it tells you what to pack, gives tips on warding off cabin fever, etc. My problem with it is that there aren't a ton of people jetting off to a weekend at a chalet; if you do own a ski house, you probably know a lot of what is in here. However, the guidance and recipes in here are sound - the snacks chapter is great, and there are some sheet pan dinners in here that are great (sausage, roasted grapes and sweet potatoes). This book would be perfect as part of a gift.

The highlight of the book for me is the illustrations; they are sweet and sophisticated at the same time.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to steep yourself in the "hygge" aesthetic of coziness and savor the winter season, this is the ticket. It's an adorable cookbook with adorable illustrations and lists of ideas to make a snowy cabin getaway more ideal. The actual recipes, to me, were too ambitious to really be practical, and I didn't make any of them, but all the same I thoroughly enjoyed reading them and imagining making them. An aspirational and inspirational trove of ways to find pleasure and joy during a dark and cold season.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this cookbook. I read it on a snowy day with gentle snowglobe like flakes falling. Loved every detail. The recipes. The art. The playful humor. Inspired me to cook more--even if we never leave our "lake house" cabin. I could be snowed in for days--happily. I can't wait to make more of these recipes. I dream of the day where I can do more entertaining again. Great gift from my brother. I even gifted it to people.

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This charmingly illustrated book is part cookbook, part "how to live the skiing/hiking/camping" winter lifestyle." Reminiscent of the Susan Branch cookbooks, this book provides recipes (and menus) for various meals and scenarios. Vaguely cognizant of the need to carry supplies on foot, the recipes make an attempt to use as few ingredients as possible. This would be a charming gift for those who love an active winter lifestyle.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this is the first time I have READ a cookbook cover to cover! I usually browse through one, and will read the pages where the recipe looks interesting. These authors had a fun way of writing and illustrating little scenarios to go with each section and recipe. It was actually entertaining!

[MountainsMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

An atmospheric cookbook!

The authors’ camping cookbook in the same vein wasn’t my favorite; camping feels like survival to me, so making intense meals will never happen.

This book, however, embraces how much can be done in a cabin with a kitchen. And it’s darn cozy.

My fav: They have a tinned fish picnic, which is like so bizarre and also something that would make me feel very European.

[Trista Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was in an AirBNB and i figured "why not?" Some of the recipes were doable and possible, but others went a bit out there (i wont be making caviar on smashed potatoes in a cabin, as delicious as it sounds). A lot of the side notes were filled with silly things that didnt really add much to the book (99 uses for a mug). I wouldnt bother, but it wasnt terrible.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a great gift for a younger millennial or gen z who has a cabin in the mountains or likes to go on winter trips. Lots of fun graphics and ideas for meals and drinks but also snow people and games with packing lists.
Recipes seem fun and great for gatherings with friends and family.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I am going on vacation, the food will be quick and probably prepackaged. The recipes were fancy! Lucky if I can remember the wine opener and the beer. Not your burger and brat cookbook. Very knowledgeable..... recommend for the reading not recipes.

[JH · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and cozy! I loved the aesthetic of this book. The illustrations were wonderful. The chapters were all funny and cozy. The recipes themselves look delicious- I bookmarked a few to try! Love the scandi-influence on the book.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous (and hilarious) cookbook offering all sorts of tips, tricks, and recipes for your snowy adventures!

[Lcharlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comforting book

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun ideas and recipes, but a little cutesier than I tend to like.

[Robin Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and Delicious!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable cookbook with recipes and winter activities!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book but not many recipes interested me.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed reading the book and sharing favourite recipes with each other and some of the activities. :) I think I will put this book and her other books on my wishlist. :)

[Abby Peskin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book that would be very sweet as a gift - I wasn't a huge fan of the recipes as many of them were more comfort-food recipes or recipes for entertaining.